The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-12-03
CALIFORNIA MONKS.
Tho Foundation, Progress and Decay
Santa barbara Mission.

CALIFORNIA MONKS.
Tho Foundation, Progress. and Decay Of
Santa barbara Mission.
II makes little difference how one
enters the Santa Barbara valley, for
the mission which overlooks it is the
first object that attracts attention. 1t
occupies an elevated site at the head
of the valley. and is clearly outlined
against background of hills. The
church was begun in 1856. aud finished
in 1922 In 1912, an. again in 1874.
it was nearly destroyed by earth
quakes 1t was intended by Father
Junipero Serrano to build the Santa
Barbara Mission long before it was
really begun, but he died before doing
more than select its location and con-
sccrate the ground. From 1922 until
1888, when the act of secularization
was passed. the building was the GEN.
ter of great wealth and power. The
fathers were temporal rs well as
spiritual rulers of the land. and their
church was the best and
largest In California. The walls
were of stone, six feet thick,
and plastered with adobe; the
roof was covered with bright red tiles.
and in the towers was hung trio of
Spanish bells. In the rear Of the mis-
sion the fathers had their garden--s
shrub-grown half-acre, completely
isolated from the outside world. From
the west tower a long L extended at
right angles to the body Of the church.
and facing this was an open corridor.
The Indian converts lived in huts. and
the fathers raised large quantities OF
grapes and olives. When war was
made upon the Franciscans. the Santa
Barbara brothers were the only ones
who dared rapain at their posts. That
they did so is due the excellent preser-
walton of the old building Time has
changed it somewhat. to be sure. but
has mellowed and softened rather than
destroyed. The stone steps leading to
the facade are cracked and moss
grown; only one of the original six
fountains is left; the Indian cabins
have disappeared. A few Fran ciscans.
shaven, and dressed in long, coarse
robes belted at the waists. still inhabit
the bare narrow cells, and loiter about
the corridors and garden. and regular
service continues to be held.
There was decidedly musty smell
to the church, and both the visitors
spoke in whispers. Edith's guide
showed her all the paintings, and gave
the history Of each-who this was done
by and when, how it came to Santa
Barbara, and other facts of interest
just beyond the choir were two small
ehapels, each with its altar pictures
and ornaments, and a few steps from
that on the right of The nave the father
stopped before high double door,
way, and began unlocking the heavy
door When he had thrown them
open he crossed himself. and leading
the way. asked Edith to follow. Doing
so, she found herself in walled in
closure overgr own with rank grasses
and rose bushes Above the doorway
Edith saw three whtened skulls set in
the wall, while under the caves Of the
church, which projected upon thick
butiresses, the swallows we're fitting
back and forth from their nests of SUM-
baked mud.
This is our cemetery. senorita,''
said the father. at last.
"Are the skulls real. fatherp" asked
Edith.
YES, child"
"And are many people buried
hore?"
ooh. yes. very many. We do not
use it now. There is not room. to tell
the truth. You need not dig deep TO
find skulls and bones in here"
1t was not pleasant thought to
Edith to feel that she was walking
over the resting place of she knew not
how many pious fathers and Indians.
1t was very quiet. A high wall COM
pletely hid the road to Mission Cam
yon. and on the west was the church,
above which rose the towers There
were several vaults, and each had its
wooden cross and vines. Doves were
cooling on the caves, and the swallows
| chatted necessarily.
o. leaving the cemetery the father
and Edith returned 10 the church, and
passed up the long nave to the altar
which was covered with Il snowy cloth
and decorated with tall candlesticks
and other ornaments. Behind it, fill
ing the end of the room, was a wooder
reredos. deliberately carved, and hav
ing fine life-sized colored statues
before each panel. On either side o
the altar. set on white pillars, were
two other statues. and between then
was large cross. with the Christ upor
il. To the right Edith noticed curl
susly-shaped hat hanging upon tn
vail, which was covered with dust
1T belonged to Garcia San Diego
the first Bishop of California" said
tho father, when he saw Edith looking
at it. His body is entombed here
as the tablet says He was patien
worker and godly man. Would
could be buried here, in the very wall
of the church l serve" Edwdrd'
Roberts. IN Harper's Magazine.